Earconwald of London

Our father among the saintsEarconwald of London (also Ercenwald or Erkenwald) was bishop of London in the Anglo-Saxon Church of England during the latter decades of the seventh century. He came to be called "The Light of London". His feast day is April 30. He is also commemorated for the translations of his relics on February 1 and May 13.

Life

Earconwald was born about 630 of noble origin at Lindsey. Otherwise little is known of his early life. He founded two monasteries in 661, one for men in Chertsey in Surrey, of which he became the abbot, and a second for women in Barking, of which his sister St. Ethelburgh was the abbess. In 675, he was appointed Bishop of London by Archbishop Theodore of Canterbury.

King Ine of Wessex named Earconwald as an advisor and participant in the writing of the code of law promulgated by King Ine. Earconwald also had a significant role in the evolution and drafting of the Anglo-Saxon charters including the charter by King Caedwalla for a minster (church) in Farnham.

Earconwald is also credited with the conversion to Christianity of King Sebba of the East Saxons in 674.

Earconwald died in 693 and was buried at Old St. Paul's Cathedral in London. During the Middle Ages his grave was a popular shrine for pilgrimages. However, it was destroyed with other tombs at the cathedral during the Reformation.